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The coast of Lithuania is relatively short, extending south to north about 185 km (115 mi). The southern half of the coast features the northern part of the Curonian Spit (Kursiu Nerija), and behind the spit is the broad and shallow Curonian Sound (Kursiu Marios). The sound empties into the Baltic through a narrow channel at its north end. The country's major port, Klaipeda, is located on this channel. Most of the Lithuanian coast was under German control from the eighteenth century until 1920; Klaipeda was then known by its German name, Memel. (In the listing, the historical German names of the light stations are placed in curly brackets {}.) Lithuania became independent in 1920, although it was incorporated into the Soviet Union from 1940 to 1990. Coastal and Klaipeda harbor aids to navigation in Lithuania are regulated by the Lithuanian Maritime Safety Administration (Lietuvos Saugios Laivybos Administracija), but since 2001 the actual operation of the lights has been assigned to the Lighthouse and Hydrography Service of the Klaipeda State Seaport. Aids to navigation on the Curonian Sound and Nemunas River system are managed by the Inland Waters Navigation Inspectorate (VVVLI). The Lithuanian word for a lighthouse is svyturys. Special thanks to Bronius Sriubas (LY1CM) for contributing the photos on this page. ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. LT numbers are from the Lithuanian light list. Light List numbers are from volume C of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 116. What's Hot:
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![]() Klaipeda Light photo copyright Bronius Sriubas; used by permission |
Information available on lost lighthouses:
Notable faux lighthouses:
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Posted April 21, 2005. Checked and revised May 14, 2008. Lighthouses: 11. Site copyright 2008 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.